Genesee Valley Chapter BMW Car Club of America JUNE 2007

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I’ve spent the beginning of my summer visiting BMW friends and family – driving my girlfriend’s brother’s E36 M3 while he’s away, hearing tails of Vintage at the Vineyard from Uncle Bob on the road in his ’02, and catching up with Uncle Tom on his window regulator and sunroof woes in his 323i. As I relayed my latest car stories to them, my aunt said, “It sounds like you have a parking problem,” as each of my adventures involved the car’s worst battleground: the parking lot. The fi rst actually isn’t my adventure, the bimmer boy though I helped contribute. Uncle Bob called me at school to ask about getting some supplies for a project, and I directed him to Lewisburg’s new super Wal-Mart, with an added good luck of fi nding what he needed in the never-ending store. I also suggested that he park at the farthest end of the parking lot, since I had witnessed some very interesting maneuvers there, several involving the robotic shopping cart collection trains closer to the store. He agreed, and went along his way. A little while later, he called back to let me know I had almost gotten his car towed. I tried to think if I had mistakenly directed him to some spot where he wasn’t allowed to park, but I knew that couldn’t be. Rather, he explained, he came out of the store, supplies in hand, to fi nd a fl atbed tow truck positioned in front of his M3, with the operator stand- by russell labarca ing by to load the car up. As he approached, the truck driver asked, The Ultimate Driving Machine TM “BMW X3, right?” “Well, close,” said Bob, with a chuckle. Apparently he was looking for a dead X3 to tow, but possibly didn’t read the back closely enough. Perhaps there is no safe place to park your car! My parking problem involved my GTI and campus student parking. I always make sure to park away from traffi c as best I can. I aim for end spots so there’s only one person on the other side, or remote parking lots so that people aren’t driving in and out all the time. Call me a weenie, but from what I’ve seen, parking should be a mandatory freshman course along with the university’s appropriate alcohol consumption course. That one is real.) On my way to the library, I drove past my car with my girlfriend. The GTI had been sitting for a few days, as I don’t need to drive it that often, but I do like to periodically check it. On this drive-by, however, I clearly saw the open spot on the hatch below the rear glass where my VW emblem once was. I was pretty angry, not at the missing emblem, but more at the scratches added to the hatch by the screwdriver used to pry it loose. Luckily nothing else was taken, damaged, or vandalized, so it could have been much worse. Like for instance, if someone had backed into the car really hard, and then fl ed the scene. This third parking incident placed me as a witness to this hit-andrun act. One car, while making a very poor attempt at a three-point turn (freshman driving course!) slammed into another. Usually when making a K-turn, speeds aren’t high enough for a slam, but this case was an exception. The impact force was enough to bend the victimized car’s fender in so far that it blocked the wheel from rotating. The offending vehicle took off, and I was left to watch, speechless. I suppose there is no perfectly safe place to park your car, as there’s always risk in life. However that doesn’t mean I won’t keep parking away from traffi c of bad drivers and sticky fi ngers. But the illiterate tow truck drivers? I haven’t decided how to defend against them yet. GAULT AUTO SPORT BMW 2507 North Street • Endicott, NY 13760 888-424-2858 www.buybmw.com The Enthusiast’s Store for all BMW toys! Authorized Sales, Service & Parts. A fully equipped collision center. BMW Car Club Discounts, Tech Inspections, Free Loaner Service and Pick-up & Delivery. • Tom Marcy - Service Manager
Test drive So there we are in the driveway with a brand new 2007 Silver Toyota Tundra. It’s the big overnight test drive. You know, the one where the decision is fi nally reached. Now, John being the savvy buyer that he is, decides to see if the monster fi ts in our small city driveway, not to mention the bigger question: will the ATV fi t in the bed? Now the truck isn’t in the driveway 10 minutes, the ramps are set and he is backing the rather large ATV (yes, the same one I used as a snowplow in the last episode) up onto the bed. I’m not sure what exactly happened. The beastly ATV rolled back with a little gas…crack…all I could do was slap my hands over my mouth with my eyes just peaking out above. John looks at me, “was that the back window?” I nod, eyes wide, barely uttering an “uh huh.” The safety glass on the cab window shattered in a million little pieces all still clinging together for dear life. Well, could be worse, John says, “at least I know I need to leave the tailgate down.” And to beat all, as John drives off the bed the ramps give way with a lot of crashing metal, John and the Beast hit the ground. Recovered, we pile in to test the Nav system, have a romantic walk and cup of decaf java. Each time a door opens and closes, glass falls like little raindrops onto the back seat. Safely back in the driveway, there is now an oval shaped hole of missing glass in the cab window. “It’s going to rain tonight,” I announce to John. Out he goes, with clear packing tape in hand, sealing up the window hurricane worthy. And, as all fairy tales go, it was a happy ending. John is now the proud owner of the same truck, window replaced. And the ATV? It’s for sale. Calendar of Events AUGUST 5th, Sunday. Autocross at MCC 18th, Saturday. Family Picnic and go-karts! 29th & 30th, Wednesday & Thursday. Ultimate Driving School at Watkins Glen SEPTEMBER 22nd, Saturday. Autocross at BIMP 29th & 30th. Saturday and Sunday. Ultimate Driving School at Watkins Glen Please visit our web site at www.gvc-bmwcca.org for late breaking news and updates! Back Seat Driving I attended my fi rst driving school in May as a pink wrist banded guest. Since my temporary hot wheels, a Grand Caravan, was not Glen material, I happily observed, photographed and cared for my furry dependant, Pokey while John and his M3 did track time. It’s all the little things that make these events so much fun for observers. Talking with old friends and new, making off with the only small t-shirt left on Sunday (with Instructor down the sleeve!), the bimmer fi guring out how to get the car in the picture frame as it sped by, and on this weekend, staying warm with four layers of clothing and ear muffs! There was a small amount of “agricultural exploration” by the M3 and fi guring out how to sleep in a double bed when we have a king at home. But the essence of this weekend was summed up by one of the instructors as we hung out over the track on the walkway: it’s not about what car you drive. A car cannot make up for a poor driver, this wise instructor told me. The best student wants to learn everyday of his life. Become a better driver starts in the heart and soul. It’s simply loving what you are doing in each moment. Wonder Dog girl by julie koenig As a child I tuned into my favorite cartoon every Saturday morning at 8:30am, channel 7 (Buffalo): Superfriends. I had a lunchbox (remember when they were metal), poster of Linda Carter as Wonder Woman and dressed as Wonder Woman for Halloween three years in row. I’ve been teased over the years, but I always fi gure it was better than blue smurfs or Strawberry Shortcake. I was saving the world in my invisible airplane and magic lasso. Even though the lunchbox was sold by my mom in a yard sale and the poster is long gone, I am still in my heart a wonder woman. Teased every now and then, it has become a household joke. I now have several t-shirts, keychain and a pez dispenser. Never too old to grow up. So my nickname for my furry little dependant, Pokey, is wonder dog. Wonder Woman herself never had pet sidekick, but I believe pokey thinks he has super powers at times. On a trip home from NYC last year in the M3, we were speeding along, john and I with pokey in the backseat. John all excited not only for the speed, but that Pokey was now the fastest dog ever! Pokey now proudly bares a dog tag with a large Superman S on it. Wonder Dog indeed. 5
Page 1 and 2: Genesee Valley Chapter BMW Car Club
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Genesee Valley Chapter BMW Car Club of America JUNE 2007

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